ABSTRACT
The presidency of a tribal college or university is a unique position. While tribal colleges and universities (TCU) presidents operate higher education institutions with many of the same expectations as other post-secondary institutions – maintaining accreditation, improving student success, assuring financial oversight, and good governance – they do so at institutions that are contextually and physically place-based and culturally rooted. President Lionel Bordeaux has often described the vision for Sinte Gleska University (SGU) that was given to him when he was recruited for the presidency in 1972 and when he was inaugurated in early 1973. Tribal communities served by TCUs have such myriad needs for educated and skilled workers and for restoration of cultural knowledge and health through outreach that the ability to establish priorities and allocate insufficient resources for the greatest return is critical to the success of the president and his/her institution.
